Aaron Powell - Musical Director
Aaron has been working as a musical director, accompanist, teacher and conductor for choirs, musicals and special events for more than 20 years. Holding a Bachelor of Music majoring in Classical Piano and a Bachelor of Teaching, Aaron has worked at a variety of schools including The Friends School, Hobart College, Rosny College, Elizabeth College, The Hutchins School, Taroona High School, and St Michael's Collegiate.
Notable productions he has been Musical Director for include the Tasmanian Premiere performances of The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, and Monty Python's Spamalot. Aaron was also the musical director for the Theatre Royal's 175th Anniversary Concert, the 2011 Myer Hobart Christmas Carols, Sisongke, and The Australian Rosny Children's Choir.
In 2007, Aaron toured to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with Hobart based soprano Allison Farrow, accompanying on piano for her show I'm a Stranger Here Myself. In 2008, Aaron sang as part of the backing choir for Michael Crawford at the Derwent Entertainment Centre. He has also worked with Kate Ceberano, Keith Potger (The Seekers), Damien Leith, and many more notable performers.
In 2022 Aaron rehearsed and conducted the female voice choir on the soundtrack recording for the TV Series Deadloch produced by Amazon Prime.
As a performer, Aaron currently sings with Deep South Chorus and Hobart's award-winning a cappella vocal ensemble ThylaSing, of which he is also the founder and musical director. Aaron also trains and directs the UTAS A Cappella Club.
Aaron has a wide range of original compositions and arrangements available for purchase, and is in high demand for custom musical arrangements and choral workshops in Hobart and interstate.
Gabby Cousins - Assistant Musical Director
Gabby was a member of the original YVH in 2019, and sang with the choir for a number iof years. She started formal voice training at age 10, and has studied with Chelle Burtt, Rebecca Oliver-Black, Sharon Prero and Ursula Leung. Gabby performed a number of leading roles with Chelle Burtt Theatre School, including Dorothy in Wizard of Oz and Tessie in Annie Jr. Other stage credits include Pride & Prejudice, the title role in Matilda the Musical, and Lenora in Cry Baby. Gabby has also performed in Heathers and Guys & Dolls with the Hobart Theatre Summer School.
During the Platform event in 2019, Gabby trained alongside Lisa Gormley and received an award for acting, and in 2021 she appeared as talent in RASC's 'Over is Over' television commercial. She has also trained with Musical Theatre Crew and was part of their production of Mamma Mia.
Gabby is a passionate performer and is looking forward to sharing her skills and knowledge about stagecraft with the next generation of performers.
Anna Chilcott - Accompanist
Anna has been a pianist and accompanist since her school days, playing for choirs in Eisteddfods and other performances, and in the orchestra for school musicals including Finnegans Rainbow, Fiddler on the Roof, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and My Fair Lady.
She subsequently accompanied choirs including TUMS (Tasmanian University Musical Society), Tasmanian Chorale and The Hobart Orpheus Choir (whilst her father Ken conducted at the helm).
Anna has been the repetiteur / performance pianist for various other local stage productions including Company, Cabaret, several Gilbert and Sullivan productions and The Threepenny Opera. She has also accompanied many Conservatorium and other solo vocalists and instrumentalists in performance and examination.
Anna has 4 kids and works as a GP and surgical assistant in her life outside music.
